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Sunday, 20 July 2014

The First Mug

When I started
to learn how to throw on the wheel, I was very anxious about destroying the
small something I just made. Every single creation was so precious to me that
at one point I had to stop throwing. I was afraid that if the wheel turned just
one more time, and if I tried to pull the cup a little bit higher, I would
destroy it. The idea of my first works ruined horrified me. I loved all my
pots! I wanted to keep them all.

The result of
this fear was that my beginner’s pots were mostly very heavy. The walls were
thick and the bottom of the pots seemed to be filled with lead. But I loved
them and I kept them all.

When I started
to improve in throwing, I became very critical about my work. I remember that
at one point I said to myself: ”Hey, you have enough clay to pull this vase
higher!” The fear of destroying the pots was replaced with the obsession for
thin and light pots.

Most of my
beginner’s work is now in Croatia at my parents’ place. My mother wanted them
all and she still proudly shows them to everyone who visits. (Note: Your mother
will always love everything you make.) At first I was so ashamed seeing that
entire typical beginner’s work every time I visit. Nowadays I like to observe
the progress of my throwing skills.

This mug is
the very first piece I made when I moved to Vienna. I attended a course for
beginners and wanted to skip the usual program and start throwing on the wheel.
The course instructor insisted that I form something with my hands first. So
this is my very first clumsy, oddly shaped mug. It is too heavy, with a handle
that is too small.

I am not using
this mug because it is so impractical – but I like it anyway. Also, I love the
dotty glaze effect I got by mixing two ready-made glazes that were offered at
the course. Finally, I love this mug because it is a remnant of my overly
enthusiastic beginnings and of all the love and passion I have for clay.